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US ‘understands’ India needs Russian missiles to remain ‘strong partner’ in region, Nirmala Sitharaman says

  • Defence minister is confident that New Delhi would avoid US sanctions over its purchase of Russian missile system

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Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Photo: AFP
India is hopeful it will avoid US sanctions over its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile system, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said.
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New Delhi has been “heard and understood” by the US administration over its accord to buy the S-400 missile defence system for US$5.2 billion, the minister said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October, defying US warnings of sanctions on countries buying Russian military equipment.

The sanctions were part of measures to punish Moscow for its actions in Ukraine in 2014.

President Donald Trump’s administration imposed sanctions on China’s military last year over Beijing’s purchase of the S-400 and other military hardware.
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